AMRC call for emergency funding for member charities
Over the last two weeks AMRC has been working hard to support our members through the COVID-19 pandemic: from publishing a briefing with evidence of the sector’s challenges and asks for government to sending a letter to the Chancellor to call for emergency funding for medical research charities.

AMRC member volunteer opportunities for furloughed staff
Many member charities have had to furlough staff, but their skills and experience don’t have to be lost from the sector. They can volunteer for other medical research charities. AMRC is now advertising member charity volunteer opportunities in its weekly job circulation mailing. Members can also advertise how many of their furloughed staff are looking to volunteer for other AMRC charities and in what areas. To advertise your vacancies complete this form.

Foundations for the future
With mounting uncertainty it’s vital we do all we can to help build more solid ground for our members once the crisis is over. On 6 April, we launched our new five-year strategy, shaped by the input of our members. To accompany this, we created an infographic of our key achievements from the previous strategy. Our Quarterly Impact Infographic (1 January to 31 March 2020) is also available on our website.

Government increases COVID-19 support to £14.5 billion
Government is increasing its COVID-19 emergency response fund up to £14.5 billion, following its initial pledge of £5 billion at the start of the crisis. The support package includes an extra £6.6 billion towards the NHS, targeting urgent priorities such as acquiring more ventilators and protective equipment for staff, expanding diagnostic testing capacity, and freeing up hospital beds.The announcement follows Matt Hancock’s recent measure to write-off £13.4 billion of historic NHS debt.

Social investors pump £100 million into charities
Social investors Big Society Capital, Social Investment Business and the Impact Investing Institute are offering over £100 million in loans and emergency investment to charities and other social enterprises struggling to deal with the coronavirus crisis. The funds will be available within weeks and excludes any fees or interest payments for 12 months. It is intended to compliment the government’s £750 million package of support for charities announced last week.

Sir Keir Starmer leads new Labour Shadow Cabinet
Following the recent Labour Party leadership election victory by Keir Starmer MP, the new Shadow Cabinet team has been announced. Jonathan Ashworth MP remains in post as Shadow Health Secretary. Rosena Allin-Khan MP steps into the role of Shadow Minister for Mental Health, with Justin Madders MP taking on the brief for public health and prevention, Alex Norris MP taking on patient safety, and Baroness Wheeler the Health spokesperson in the Lords.

Involving young people in PPI 
The NIHR would like to hear from organisations about how they work with young people (ages 8-24) to involve them in research. They’re looking to improve their understanding of the processes used to recruit, work with and reimburse young contributors to research so that they can increase representation in their Patient and Public Involvement work. If you have any knowledge and experience to share, please send a paragraph or so about your work to Alice Hawliczek.

New NIHR Centre for Engagement and Dissemination
The NIHR has launched a new Centre for Engagement and Dissemination to lead NIHR’s work to make health and care research “representative, relevant and ready for use”, building on the work of the NIHR Dissemination Centre and NIHR INVOLVE. The Centre will be led by the new NIHR Director for Public Voice, Jeremy Taylor OBE. Jeremy Taylor is a former researcher, civil servant and charity leader.

Embedding public engagement
Are you working to foster a culture of engagement in your organisation? The National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement's Engage Academy is a year-long professional development programme for those in public engagement and it application deadline has been extended to 1 May 2020. Become more confident in your role, develop a strong and supportive network, and embed high quality engagement in your organisation.

Have your say on AMRC's virtual events
This is a very strange time for us all and we want to make sure we are supporting our members in the best way possible. After the success of our first ever virtual workshop in March, we are looking to host more online events that equip you with the tools, knowledge and support you need right now. What would you like to see discussed during the next AMRC online event? Get in touch with our Events Manager, Gill and tell us what you would like to hear about!